IchiHime Winter 2017/2018

AN: I'm going to try and make these connect into one story. Let me know what you think, there don't seem to be many Ichihime fans out there any more (sad face). Thank you for reading this for me daianapotter and hallowdark94 for all your help. Your review really made this chapter better.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Ichigo, Orihime, or the cover photo. I also didn't come up with the prompt list.

Prompt List:

Dec. 4-10 is Snowfall

Dec. 11-17 Games/Sports

Dec. 18-24 Shopping Together

Dec. 25-31 Family Holidays

Jan. 1-7 Hot Chocolate

Jan. 8-14 Starry Night

Jan. 15-21 Warm Clothes

Jan. 22-28 Snowman

Jan to Feb. 29-4 Fireworks

Feb. 5-11 Ice Rink

Feb. 12-18 Valentine's Day

Feb. 19-25 Free Choice

Chapter One

Snowfall

Life in Karakura town was finally as it should be. I only did hollows if they needed me, which happened to be every night. School was boring but thanks to Inoue I was getting good grades. That was the real change in my life.

Once we were back to living life as average teenagers she started to give me space outside of school and I missed her. That's how we became "study buddies" as she called us or "study dates" as my annoying ass old man called them.

Within a few months, we'd spend three nights a week together and do things on the weekends with our friends. The more time we spent together the more I wanted to see her…. I wasn't sure why.

Oh well, tonight was one of the nights she worked, and I was with my family…

It was another normal night at the Kurosaki house. We were eating dinner, dad was being annoying, Yuzu was fussing over everyone and Karin... well she was just Karin. That all changed with one question.

"I just don't get it, why haven't you asked Orihime-san out? Don't you like her?" Yuzu's big eyes looked at me. Before I could answer Karen did for me.

"He knows he isn't good enough for someone like her."

"Karin!" My nice little sister yelled out

"Son, she's not going out wait around forever." Dad so thoughtfully added.

"I'm not askin' her to. Can we please drop it?" I asked irritated. They weren't even letting me talk while they were questioning my love life or lack thereof.

"We're just trying to help, Son," Isshin said trying to calm me down.

"I know but stop okay? It's not going to happen." I said, letting a little sadness leak in my voice. I looked at my plate. It was still mostly covered in food, but it didn't look as good as it did a few minutes ago.

I had lost my appetite. I took my dishes to the sink before calling out that I was heading out. I only stopped when I felt a pull on my arm. I turned to see Yuzu looking at me.

Damn, I hate when she's upset.

"Please don't go, we didn't mean to upset you." She pleaded. I couldn't blame her. Ever since Mom died no one liked to leave the house mad in fear of them not coming back.

I gave her a small smile. "I'm just going for a walk, I'll dress warm okay?" I wanted to lessen whatever worries she held but I really needed to get out of here.

"Okay, onii-san. Be safe"

I could feel her eyes on me as I left. I just wish they understood. Inoue was one of the top students in our class, she was full of joy. Hell, she would forgive you for anything and would help someone who hated her just because she could. She was as pure as they came, she was the full package. The girl any guy would kill to be with. Me on the other hand, I have a monster inside me waiting to get out. She needed someone who could match that, not some guy who has to jump into danger at any moment and put her in danger, again. Talking about something I knew was never going to happen hurt.

I started walking down the streets, keeping my eyes down so no one would bother me. The last thing I needed was pointless small talk.

I made my way over to the park figuring no one would be there this late. Plus, it was about to snow. Only a few people would be outside if they didn't have to.

As I finally got to the park I saw someone on the swings, just sitting there looking at the sky. When I got closer I saw her auburn hair fly in the wind.

Why is she out here? I couldn't help but wonder. I wanted to find out, so I went over to her and sat in the swing next to her.

"Kurosaki-kun, what are you doing out here?" My favorite healer quietly asked.

"Hey Inoue, I just needed some space." I guess that wasn't the right thing to say because she started apologizing to me.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun, don't stay on my account! I didn't mean to bother you." She was standing now, waving her arms at me.

Silly woman, she didn't even come up to me, I came up to her and she's still worried about bothering me?

Without thinking I grabbed her hands to stop them from waving around.

"Inoue, I came to you so stop apologizing. You did nothing wrong?" I dropped her hands before sitting back down.

We sat for a few minutes looking at the darkening sky with little movements from the swings as the only sound. She was a lot like Yuzu. Both putting others before themselves.

"You know your family loves you right?" Her calm voice questioned out of the blue.

"Yeah… Why?" I was a little wary of why she'd ask that.

She giggled, why is she giggling at me?

"Every time you need 'space' it's because your family is giving you a hard time." Clearly, she knows me way too well. She was also laughing at me but since it's Inoue I'd let it go.

"Yeah, they mean well I know but sometimes I just wish I could be alone." I sighed.

"Don't wish that, not ever. I would do anything to have one night with a family to come home to after school or work. To wake up and eat breakfast with someone." She whispered.

"Shit, Inoue, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay. I know you didn't mean anything by it Kurosaki-kun." She stood up and started walking towards the field. I could tell she was upset since her head stayed down. I got up to go after her. When she didn't stop I turned her around by grabbing her hand.

When she turned to look at me I was once again surprised by her beauty. The light from the moon and stars made her appear as if she was glowing, her face almost was.

Orihime's face went bright red as she looked down at our hands.

Oh shit, I'm still holding her hand.

I let go and watched Orihime's hand slowly fall to her side. I could feel my face turn pink when her eyes met mine. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was wild in the wind, her light blue coat and white gloves kept her warm, but her nose was red, a clear sign she was still cold.

Shit, stop noticing her beauty. Trying to focus on what was going on and not how amazingly gorgeous she was I tried to help warm her up a bit.

"Here Inoue," I said as I wrapped my scarf around her. Without thinking I leaned forward to pull her hair out of it. We were close if I leaned down just a bit my lips would touch hers. I kept looking between her lips and eyes, hoping she'd give me a sign she wants me to kiss her.

Then it happened, she looked at my lips. That was the sign I was waiting for!

We both moved in for our first kiss. After all this time, I'd finally know what it feels like to have her lips on mine. However, tonight would not be that night. The only thing that touched was our foreheads and nose.

"Shit," I whispered, as she moaned out in pain.

"I'm so sorry Kurosaki-kun, are you okay? I have a hard head" she laughed while hitting her head with her hand to prove her point. I was about to answer when a small snowflake landed on her nose.

"Oh" she spoke, her eyes bright. I watched her look up and smiled. I love that smile. I realized my lips were starting to lift as I gave a small smile back.

"Look! It's snowing Kurosaki-kun!" She giggled before she spun around with her arms out wide. I chuckled as I watched her beam with joy, the first snowfall of the year and I got to watch the person who would enjoy it the most. It always amazed me how much joy she found in the little things life had to offer. Thankfully the snow was enough to pull us out of the awkward situation that almost kiss put us. I had to hope she wouldn't remember it.

I can't believe I almost kissed her! How stupid could I be? It was a sign we weren't supposed to kiss. Clear as day. I thought bitterly to myself.

I shoved my hands back in my pockets, with more force than needed. I felt like I'd be slapped in the face. My family on me about telling her his true feelings, then being so close to this once in a lifetime opportunity to have it all come crashing down.

"Come on Inoue, it's getting late. I'll walk you home."

She came back over to me, still smiling. "Are you sure? You don't have to walk me home. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." The determined look on her face only made her look cute. I wasn't sure how the walk would go but I had to make sure she was home safe before I went home to go over the almost kiss for the rest of the night.

"I know you can Inoue, but I want to." Was my easy answer and it was the truth. I did want to walk her home.

The walk home was quite one, not awkward though. We were both thinking about the same thing without knowing it.

We almost kissed